Festival Hair Tutorials: 3 Coachella Hairstyles for 2013

Shocker, but we’ve already caught the festival bug here at Chictopia. What with SXSW blowing up our Twitter feeds last week and Coachella on the horizon, we’re already dusting off our boho garb and prepping our tresses for festival season! To keep up our “Chictopian chic” appearances, we enlisted owner and hairstylist KL Christoffersen of Cheeky Strut Salon to whip our hairs in shape!

Must-Have Hair Products

First things first. For the ultimate undone-yet-done do, load up on our recommended arsenal of styling products. No festival gal should be without sea salt spray, dry shampoo or medium-hold hairspray. I mean, let’s be honest. Unless you’re a legit hippie, no shower-loving girl rolls out of bed looking like a bohemian goddess. It takes some work and a slew of key products!

Boho Braided Headpiece

Props to KL for crafting this hybrid of the popular chain headpieces and mini side braids! To get the look: Start with a mini french braid along the center part-line from crown to forehead. Split the strand in half at the forehead and pin off one side. Continue french braiding along the hairline on the opposite side. Secure in back with an elastic. Repeat the same steps for the final side, pinning the braids at the back of the head. For that disheveled look, gently tug each plait outward and finish with sea salt spray on the ends!

The Pony Dread

We brought back the classic 90s topsy-tail, but with a twist. Section the hair horizontally from ear to ear and pin the top section out of the way. With the bottom section, create about half a dozen mini topsy-tails, securing each with an elastic and tucked into one another. Once the bottom is complete, repeat the same steps for the top section, sliding excess hair behind the bottom twists. For another rad topsy-tail variation, check out this version by Hair Romance!

To complete the look, finish the style off with a faux ponytail dread. Take two small strands from either side of the ponytail, knot in front and tie with a clear mini elastic in back. Repeat until you’ve reached the bottom of the pony!

Coachella’s Iconic Braided Crown

Okay, we know. The braided crown has been around the block a few times, but we spiced it up with wispy face framing pieces and a low-hanging bang. Channel that elven beauty within!

Now if you’re not a french braiding expert, have no fear! Chances are one of your lady friends doubles as an aspiring hairstylist. Recruit her to give you an in-person tutorial or to style you up for that next concert!

Get the look by first sectioning the back into two equal parts, split down the middle. Begin french braiding at the nape of the neck, up toward the ear and along the forehead (Note: Our version of this style is an “outie” braid, but an “innie” works too!). Continue down the opposite side and secure braid with an elastic and bobby pins. Still stumped? Watch Free People’s Coachella crown video tutorial! And remember, practice makes perfect!